A double-green Royal Ascot contender emerges at the Curragh - plus a trainer worth keeping on side this spring

Munir and Souede have live Royal Ascot contender

By Sam Hendry

The double-green silks of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede are a regular sight around Ascot in the jumps season, and they could be seen there again this summer but this time for the royal meeting on the Flat after an eyecatching success at the Curragh on Saturday.

Green Sense, trained by Joseph O'Brien, made her debut against the boys in the opening 6f maiden and could not have been more impressive, readily accounting for Coolmore's well-bred Extravagant, a Wootton Bassett colt purchased for €300,000 at the Goffs Orby Book 1 sale.

Green Sense wins under Dylan Browne McMonagle at CurraghCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Admittedly that rival needs further than six furlongs, whereas Green Sense's pedigree is all speed being by July Cup winner Starman, but her professionalism and turn of foot really stood out.

Relief Rally was a very smart two-year-old for Munir and Souede in 2023, finishing second in the Queen Mary before winning Newbury's Super Sprint and the Lowther Stakes at York, and Green Sense appears to have the potential to reach a similar level, with the Albany looking a decent option come June.

Red-hot Portman worth keeping on side

By Tom Park

Unibet's Ed Nicholson flagged on the Racing Post Postcast on Thursday that there might not be a better in-form trainer than Jonathan Portman at this stage of the Flat season, and he might just be right.

The Lambourn trainer scooped the 1m2f handicap at Newbury on Saturday with Sweet Reward, who won at 6-1, and Two Tempting ran a stormer to finish fourth in the Spring Cup, beaten just two and three-quarter lengths, while his only other runner of the day was well beaten at Brighton.

In the last 14 days he has had four winners from 13 runners – a 31 per cent strike-rate – and you'd be +£31.50 from a £1 level stake, and +£28.50 since the start of January.

The Flat action over the weekend highlighted just how difficult it is to know how forward horses are at this stage of the season, with plenty of talented horses clearly in need of the run, so it is worth keeping a trainer like Portman, who is in such hot form, on your side.

Could Kabral Du Mathan do a L'Eau Du Sud?

By Sam Hendry

Backing Kabral Du Mathan has been a frustrating experience this season – but there simply must be a big prize in him next campaign.

The Scottish Champion Hurdle was the scene of a third consecutive second-place finish for the Paul Nicholls-trained five-year-old in a valuable 2m handicap hurdle.

Kabral Du Mathan (far left) was beaten a neck by Cracking Rhapsody (second from left) in the Scottish Champion HurdleCredit: Grossick Racing

Having been chucked into stiff handicap company on just his fourth start, he's now been touched off at Ascot, Windsor and Ayr, but remains firmly on an upward curve and there is now a decision to be made about whether he goes novice chasing.

Given his age and inexperience, Kabral Du Mathan could still have plenty of scope off a mark in the low 140s and the Greatwood would be an obvious early season aim next campaign, but he could also have the potential to emulate L'Eau Du Sud.

The Dan Skelton trainee also went close in a series of big handicap hurdles last season before steaming through some of Britain's best novice chases prior to Christmas, and it would be no surprise to see Kabral Du Mathan do similar.

British jump jockeys' ­championship

Sean Bowen 166 winners
Harry Skelton 133
Harry Cobden 108
Sam Twiston-Davies 103
Gavin Sheehan 97

British jumps trainers' ­championship

Dan Skelton £3,104,424
Willie Mullins £3,102,993
Paul Nicholls £2,323,978
Nicky Henderson £2,120,086
Olly Murphy £1,497,070

Irish jump ­jockeys' ­championship

Paul Townend 100 winners
Sam Ewing 64
Keith Donoghue 63
Darragh O'Keeffe 56
Danny Mullins 43

Irish jumps trainers' championship 

Willie Mullins €4,168,090
Gordon Elliott €3,536,385
Gavin Cromwell €1,891,645
Henry de Bromhead €1,410,660
Joseph O'Brien €1,008,325

Read these next . . .

Dominant Irish trainer, quality British jockey - is this the new formula for success in light of the Scottish National?    

Jonquil adds to Juddmonte's 2,000 Guineas hand - now it's time for my fancy to put his credentials on the line    

Newbury trial winner looks enticing each-way option for the Guineas after significant step forward    

The Front Runner is our unmissable email newsletter available exclusively to Racing Post+ subscribers. Chris Cook provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday. Not a Racing Post+ subscriber? Join today and also receive our Ultimate Daily emails plus our full range of fantastic website and newspaper content.